As a young man in my mid 20s, I enjoy the night life. I cherish those nights my friends and I go out to the bar and have some drinks. But let's face it, drinking is not for everyone. Whether it is for religious reasons or just not being fond of the idea of being inebriated, some people don't find drinking at their cup of tea when it comes to socializing with friends, especially if they hang out with friends who are not of legal age. In college, many run with the notion of drinking being a social necessity, and that's simply not true. Meanwhile, those who are more interested in slightly low-key activities that involve being sober question how they can make for an endearing night of socializing. Some people struggle to make friends in fear of being in influenced to engage in drinking and possibly drugs.
Good news, there are some good alternatives to spending a night with friends without the need of alcohol beverages.
Movie Night
Do you like movies? Get cozy with your friends on the couch, pop some popcorn, and turn on Netflix, Hulu, or rent a movie from Redbox. Going out to the movies is also an alternative, but keep in mind, watching movies at home is also cheaper if you are on a tight budget.
Swimming
Do any of your friends have a pool? If so, why not chill out under the hot sun and splash around while listening to music on the radio. Of course, this can be difficult during the fall and winter season, that's why spring and summer are the times to take advantage of that.
Board Games
Perhaps nothing spells a friendly competition like a game of Cards Against Humanity, Game of Things, Monopoly, or just about any board game you can think of. Everyone needs a good laugh as well as a good time to play dirty against their friends. Better yet, why not order pizza while you're at it?
Video Game Tournaments
Interested in testing your friends' skills at Mario Kart, Mario Party, Call of Duty, or any game the draws out an adrenaline rush of a competition? This can be a lot of fun. But keep in mind, it is only a game, so try not take competition too seriously.
Dinner Night
Some of my best memories was getting together with friends and going out to nice restaurants. If you're not too short on money, dining out can always be a nice time for sharing sweet conversations while sitting at your favorite Mexican restaurant.
Cruising Around Town
This may seem simple, but a common activity for many of my classmates back in high school was gathering in someone's car and driving around while blasting the radio. Sometimes, we would stop at stores and search around, even when he had no plans of buying anything. It's fun to be crammed with friends jamming to your favorite music. Just make sure you reimburse the friend who's driving with some gas money.
